Easy access to guns, coupled with various other factors such a hatred, upbringing, mental health issues and general insensitivity, has resulted in numerous mass shooting incidents in United States. Hundreds of people have lost their lives and such incidents create a significant challenge for the society. It is important that strong steps be taken to curb such incidents in the future. To get a better grasp of the situation, here's a look at some of the deadliest mass shooting incidents in United States.
Sutherland Springs church shooting
Targeted at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs in Texas, this mass shooting incident resulted in deaths of 26 people. It happened on November 5, 2017. An unborn child was among those who lost their lives. A total of 22 people were wounded in this mass shooting. The act was perpetrated by 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley who lived in New Braunfels, Texas. The attacker had later killed himself. Kelley had issues at school and had faced a number of suspensions for things like drugs, profanity and insubordination.
Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
This happened in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. The attacker was 20-year-old Adam Lanza. A total of 26 people were killed in this incident. While six of the victims were staff members, there were twenty children who lost their lives. What is even more horrifying is that the attacker had earlier killed his mother before going on to carry out the mass shooting at school. Lanza had later shot himself in the head. Although Lanza did not have a criminal record, he was diagnosed with development and mental health problems at an early age.
Virginia Tech shooting
This incident occurred at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia on April 16, 2007. The attacked was Seung-Hui Cho, who used to study at the university as an undergraduate student. Semi-automatic pistols were used in this incident that killed 32 people. The number of wounded were 17. There were related injuries as well among people that were trying to flee. Before police can get him, Cho shot himself in the head. Cho had been diagnosed with mental health issues such as depression and selective mutism.
Orlando nightclub shooting
This incident occurred on June 12, 2016. It was targeted at a gay nightclub named Pulse in Orlando, Florida. This is the second deadliest mass shooting incident in United States. A total of 49 people were killed while 53 were wounded. The attacker was Omar Mateen, who was born to Afghan-American parents. He was influenced by jihadi teachings and had stated that his killings were in response to an airstrike in Iraq that had resulted in the death of an ISIL commander named Abu Wahib. Mateen was shot dead by local police.
2017 Las Vegas shooting
This incident targeted a crowd of people who had come to attend the Route 91 Harvest music festival. The event was being held on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada. The attacker was 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, who opened fire on the crowd using semi-automatic rifles, bolt action rifle and revolver. More than 1,000 rounds were fired, which led to deaths of 60 people. The number of wounded were much higher at 411 cases. Paddock was later found dead in his room. He had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.
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